Global Q&A: ‘What do you think is important enough to go to war for, and potentially lose a loved one over?’

Milena Georgieva, Sofia, Bulgaria. (The Epoch Times)

 War is not a solution except as a defense to protect family and country. This is what Epoch Times reporters from Bulgaria to New Zealand discovered when they asked locals:

 

Sofia, Bulgaria Milena Georgieva, 27, Logistics Expert I don’t think war is the most appropriate and humane way of solving any problem. However, the only reason for which I would go to war, are my family members. I care very much for my people and would do anything in order to defend them and secure a better and more peaceful life for them.

Holte, Denmark (visiting Sweden) Nic Michelsen, 67, Retired Master of Science Only if one’s own country is threatened by an invasion; defense war is the only thing that I think is justifiable. I don’t think we should do anything in Iraq or Afghanistan. But, of course, there is a difference if professionals from the U.S. are sent out though.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Ricardo Filho, 31, Translation Student War is not a solution for anything. War is wrong. Nobody wants to lose someone you love.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates Catherine Devine, 53, Housewife As regard going to war and a member of my family going to war, I would not really want it at all. They mean too much to me; family is everything really.

Cotton Tree, Australia John Muller, 65, Retired I don’t think there’s anything important enough to go to war about. It will never solve anything, never.

Wellington, New Zealand Ruth Gotlieb, Retired City Councilor Nothing! Nothing! Absolutely nothing is worth going to war about in my opinion! I don’t like the loss of life and I think war is futile. I lived through the second world war. It didn’t affect me particularly, but that’s my considered opinion as an old lady. … I would sincerely hope that there’s not and I would do everything and anything to prevent one.

Greenwich Village, Manhattan, New York, U.S.A. Trevor Agatsuma, 30, Campus Minister If there’s a threat to life. If going to war could save more lives. Like World War II, when more lives were saved because America got involved.

Romania, Bucharest Gabriela Olaru, 50, Economist I, as a woman, I don’t find anything so important. A woman is meant to preserve life and take care of a man—be he her child, friend, husband, brother, etcetera. The world does not change. I wish I could do many good things to change things for the better and I do, but to a greater extent it is not possible.

Puerto Montt, Chile Moyra Holzapfel, 57, Journalist Nothing justifies a war, neither the national flag, nor religion, nor material interests justify a war.

Lima, Peru Bertha Ramirez, 56, Housewife I think that there should not be war; I also think that war is a business for those who have weapon factories. To a certain extent they themselves create wars between countries so that they can sell their products. That is why I think that war is the most terrible thing that humanity can have.

Look for the Global Q&A column every week. Epoch Times correspondents interview people around the world to learn about their lives and perspectives on local and global realities. Next week’s global question: “Do you believe you nurture tolerance in those around you?”